Oregon State Football 2014 – Better, Worse or about the Same?

OFFENSE

The running game showed signs of life in the last two games of the year (Civil War, Hawaii Bowl), but before that as completely moribund, even against awful teams. Some of that was just because they didn’t have to run the ball a lot, given the prolific nature of the passing offense, but a larger element was just because they were terrible at it.

Losing three offensive line starters isn’t going to make things better, although there was a lot of time lost due to injuries last year, so I think the backups are going to be more experienced than most. Hopefully center Isaac Seumalo can stay healthy, and that will provide an anchor to the line that desperately needs it. I was disappointed to see that a ridiculous number of injuries in spring ball kept them from having a better idea of how the finished product will look this fall.

Losing Cooks is going to be a big issue, but Oregon State has lost big name receivers before, even as recently as last year. (Cooks was OSU’s #2 WR in 2012, and the Biletnikoff Winner in 2013). Whether Mullaney or Bolden takes the #1 spot or it becomes a committee approach with a lot of involvement from the tight end position remains to be seen.

Sean Mannion had fifteen interceptions last year, but ten of those were in a three game span. So in ten games, he had five interceptions. Once he makes one mistake, he tends to spiral into more. I’m hoping another year of maturity can eliminate those spirals. If he can do that, OSU’s offense could be as good or better than last year, without Cooks. Of course, that’s a big if.

Overall, I think the offense will be worse. More specifically, I think the running game will be better, but the passing game will be worse, due to the loss of Brandin Cooks. The wild card to me is the new offensive coordinator, John Garrett.

Oregon State QB Sean Mannion

DEFENSE

The defense also has experience concerns along the line, replacing three starters, including early NFL draft pick Scott Crichton. Senior right end Dylan Wynn is going to have to be a leader, and can hopefully get this line in shape. I hear good things about former Miami Hurricane Jason Grimble stepping in at left tackle, and I’m curious to see how former WR Obum Gwacham makes the transition to defense for his senior year.

The linebackers should be the strength of the team, and Michael Doctor coming back for his senior year is a huge bonus. Losing Rashaad Reynolds is going to be a blow in the secondary, but I think there’s enough experience there to overcome it.

Overall, I think the defense will be a little better, particularly as the year goes on.

Better, worse or about the same in 2014?

I think they’ll be about the same as last year.

Beavs as big favorites vs. PSU, @ Hawaii, vs. Cal (3-0).

Beavs as solid favorites @ Colorado, vs. Utah (2-0).

Beavs as mild favorites vs. WSU, San Diego State (1-1).

Beavs as mild underdogs @ UW, ASU (1-1).

Beavs as big underdogs vs. Oregon, @ USC, @ Stanford (0-3).

It probably won’t work out exactly like that, but that comes out to a 7-5 record, which seems reasonable. A low end bowl game (Hunger Bowl or New Mexico Bowl) probably gives the Beavers a win and an 8-5 record will end Sean Mannion’s college career as the Pac-12’s leading passer in yardage.

Kurt Sahr of Building The Dam provided the information for our Oregon State Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up. For more Beaver football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Kurt on Twitter @KurtSahr.